CVE-2011-1904 in Protection Server
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified function in the web interface in Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway 6.2.0.263:6.2.0.237 and earlier in Proofpoint Protection Server 5.5.3, 5.5.4, 5.5.5, 6.0.2, 6.1.1, and 6.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors, related to a "command injection" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway and Proofpoint Protection Server versions affected by CVE-2011-1904 contain a critical command injection vulnerability within their web interface components. This vulnerability stems from an unspecified function that processes user input without proper sanitization or validation, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The affected versions span multiple releases including 6.2.0.263:6.2.0.237 for the Messaging Security Gateway and various iterations of the Protection Server from 5.5.3 through 6.2.0. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and presents a significant risk to organizations relying on these security appliances for email filtering and protection services.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection weakness that allows remote attackers to inject malicious commands into the system through the web interface. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which represents a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted input through the web interface that gets processed by the vulnerable function, ultimately leading to command execution with the privileges of the web application process. The unspecified nature of the vulnerable function suggests that the exact implementation details may vary between versions, but the core issue remains consistent across the affected release lines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations using affected Proofpoint appliances. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full control over the messaging security gateway or protection server, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised appliance as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the core security infrastructure of email protection, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, read or modify email content, disable security features, or even establish persistent access through the compromised appliance. Organizations relying on these systems for email filtering and security would face significant operational disruption and potential data breaches.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Proofpoint, which would address the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the web interface, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks only. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only authorized administrators have access to the web interface, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented where possible. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to command execution attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, with potential lateral movement and persistence tactics that could be employed by threat actors exploiting this weakness.